Raelene Castle has revealed Canterbury will continue to celebrate Mad Monday but will take steps to ensure the festivities do not bring a repeat of last year's adverse headlines.

The new Bulldogs chief executive and outgoing boss Todd Greenberg, who takes up an executive position at Rugby League Central on Thursday, sat down with Fairfax Media to discuss the big issues facing the game and the ''Family Club''.

In a wide-ranging interview, the pair spoke about the prospect of staging NRL games at Belmore, gate-sharing negotiations with rival clubs, retention and recruitment philosophies and the possibility of taking the occasional game to Castle's native New Zealand.

MAD MONDAY

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Canterbury's 2012 grand final appearance was soured after a female journalist said she was abused during the club's Mad Monday festivities. While the club admits the situation could have been handled better, Castle revealed there were no plans to ban the annual blowout.

''I'd be a brave girl to come in here and say we're not having a Mad Monday,'' Castle said. ''We've already had conversations about it, we're making plans to ensure the players tick the boxes and the media get what they need, because that's important. We need to ensure the players are in a safe environment and have a good time. I absolutely believe, in the same way I'm allowed to have a beer and to celebrate, so should they. But we need to make sure we're in a safe environment to do that. It's a balance - a white room with no windows is not much fun for a bunch of twentysomethings. It's important for them to celebrate and let their hair down in a responsible way that doesn't put anyone else in an uncomfortable situation.''

NRL GAMES AT BELMORE

The club has returned to its traditional home of Belmore Sports Ground, which boasts some of the best training facilities in the NRL. Stage one of the precinct's redevelopment has been completed and there are further plans, with additional government funding, to further transform it into a leading sporting and community precinct in time for the club's 80th anniversary celebrations. The ground already hosts back-to-Belmore pre-season trials, but Greenberg and Castle have floated the possibility of playing an NRL game there. ''Certainly when the second stage [of development] is completed it would be an amazing sight, having an NRL game here,'' Castle said. ''It certainly has potential.'' Greenberg added: ''One hundred per cent. Many people told me when we went to Homebush that we'd never come back to Belmore. Not to waste my time. It's a great thing when somebody says that to you. We're sitting in a $9.5 million state-of-the-art facility, one of the best in the game. This is culturally who we are and what we stand for. That's why this facility is one of the best things we ever did.''

RETENTION & RECRUITMENT

The Sydney Swans call it the ''No dickheads policy''. While the Bulldogs don't articulate it in those terms, Greenberg has made a point of only recruiting good footballers if they are good people. He has previously knocked back one of the NRL's best players because he felt he would not buy into the culture the Bulldogs were trying to foster. Castle has a similar philosophy.

''Ultimately, one person can ruin the team culture if you don't get that right, so it's very important,'' she said. The Bulldogs roster is heavily stacked with New Zealanders and also boasts Englishman James Graham. It's no accident. The theory is that, by recruiting superstars who won't be required for Origin duty, the club won't be adversely affected by their absence during that series. ''That means more Kiwis, Raelene,'' Greenberg chuckled.

The Bulldogs have secured most of the roster which took them to last year's grand final and Castle will take over negotiations to extend the stay of Graham, Josh Morris, Dale Finucane and Josh Jackson - although the quartet have already committed to Canterbury for next season.

GATE SHARING AND CROWDS

The Bulldogs have opened negotiations with South Sydney, also tenants at ANZ Stadium, to split the gate for their home and away clashes. Castle has been included in the talks, which aim to maximise revenue by working collaboratively on promotions and reducing duplication. Meanwhile, the issue of crowd numbers across the game has been a topical one. Greenberg is uniquely placed to provide a perspective given he will make the transition from clubland to the ARL Commission.

''In a week where there has been criticism of crowds, clubs need to take ownership of their own home games and events,'' he said. ''Growing crowds doesn't happen because you're on the back page of the paper, it happens because of the time and energy put into growing crowd numbers. This is a club that will average in 2013 more than 20,000 again. That's four years in a row that's happened and second behind Brisbane. That's happened because we've worked hard on it, we've resourced it, we have staff working in those spaces. Clubs need to take ownership and do more of that. Their criticism of the NRL this week has been a little unfair. Clubs need to take accountability for their own events.''

GAME ALLOCATIONS

ANZ Stadium remains Canterbury's home ground but the club has successfully shifted the occasional fixture for financial considerations and to broaden its fan base. Ben Barba's Mackay homecoming is just one example. Castle, formerly boss of Netball New Zealand, will explore the feasibility of taking an occasional game across the Tasman. ''With Raelene's experience in the New Zealand market, that would be a great opportunity for the club,'' Greenberg said. ''That would be a huge coup if we could get a game over there.''

DES HASLER

Castle joins a club with two-time premiership-winning coach Des Hasler at the helm. Their relationship will be critical in the success of the club on and off the field. ''I said to Des when we sat down [during the week], trust doesn't come with the title, it doesn't just happen on day one,'' she said. ''It comes with your actions over a period of time. It will happen over what we build and become stronger because of that. It has to work. You have to find a way to make it work.'' She added: ''He's got integrity. Players want to play for him and that's hugely important.''

THE FUTURE

Castle will take over a club in much better shape than the sponsor-less rabble Greenberg inherited in 2008. The club is financially secure, thanks in part to a profitable leagues club. It is governed by a united board that has been consistently re-elected unopposed, all key factors in Castle's decision to take up the post. ''People have said to me, 'They are big shoes to fill' and absolutely, they are,'' she said. ''But I'd rather take over something that's in great shape and have big shoes to fill than a complete basket case. I'm on the good side of the ledger.''

Greenberg revealed his final sentiments before beginning at Rugby League Central on Thursday.

''I seem to get a lot of accolades in the media for where the Bulldogs are currently at. But the unsung heroes are very much the board. There's a guy here called Barry 'Punchy' Nelson, who was president for many years. He has a great quote: 'It's amazing what can be achieved when no one cares who takes the credit.' It's not sexy and doesn't create headlines but [the board are among] the unsung heroes.''

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1 comment so far

Congratulations to Todd Greenberg for everything he has done for the Bulldogs. His experience will be a great asset at League HQ & it should lead to a bright future for the NRL. As a Bulldogs supporter I welcome Raelene Castle to the club & wish her all the best in her new role.